Colony Creek Country Club sells to 4 Victoria businessmen (Video)

The sun sets on Colony Creek Country Club on Thursday evening as club members are about to hear the announcement that the club will now be under new management. YL Operating LLC, owned by Robby Burdge, Claud Jacobs, Greg Norgard and Elton Calhoun, have taken over ownership and are turning management duties over to Southern Golf Properties.

Four Victoria businessmen have purchased Colony Creek Country Club, officials announced Thursday.

Robby Burdge, Claud Jacobs, Greg Norgard and Elton Calhoun formed YL Operating partnership and finalized the purchase of the 150-acre country club for an undisclosed amount from the Colony Creek Land Acquisition Trust earlier in the week.

The four businessmen, who own homes in Colony Creek, have known each other for many years and worked together on several other projects, said Burdge.

They already have made plans to improve the club, beginning with making it financially stable.

"We are bringing in a professional golf management company to make Colony Creek one of the best golf courses in South Texas," Burdge said. "Southern Golf Properties brings world-class management experience to Victoria, and we are excited about Colony Creek's future."

The majority of the hands-on supervision will be done by Southern Golf Properties, and all four businessmen from YL Operating will continue with their involvement with the Victoria Country Club.

"There aren't going to be any changes in our business with Victoria Country Club," said Claud Jacobs. "We will continue to be members there, and we hope the clubs will be able to work closer together."

Colony Creek Country Club, which began in 1985, has 150 members, but under the new ownership, it will be open for new members immediately.

"I'm astonished how many homeowners aren't already members," said Cecile Janssen, a resident of the neighborhood and member of the club. "I hope to see that number increase."

In a meeting informing current club members of the changes, Burdge said the club needs to focus on producing a product that the homeowners can be proud of - a great community environment.

Eglin Janssen said he believes new management will help with that process.

"From this day forward, I think things are looking up for Colony Creek." Janssen said. "We are elated about the new management, and we're certainly looking forward to the changes."

Burdge said, "There was a point in time when the Colony was open to 400 members. We intend to get back there - or maybe have more."

Current members of the club expressed their excitement and optimism for the future of the club under new management.

"As a longtime member of Colony Creek and a homeowner, I'm really excited about the changes that are going to take place," said Linda Barker. "I know it's going to take a while, but we're really looking forward to the changes in the club."

The new owners will spend 60 to 90 days evaluating the club's condition, then start their improvements with the golf course before making changes to the other facilities.

"Victoria has such a robust and healthy climate for business and economic growth," Burdge said. "With that in mind, we have a positive, bright vision for the future of Colony Creek. This is another example of exciting changes taking place in Victoria."